2009 has turned out to be a very bitter sweet year so far. We lost Michael Jackson, which is heartbreaking and we have lost a few others both in our personal lives and in entertainment. The sweeter part of the year has been having the pleasure of meeting and working with artists all over the globe who have not only opened my eyes to their talents but inspired me to create as well. One such artist is Eline Charles. Not too often does a visual artist strike a new chord with me, being a visual artist myself my entire life and having some of the best visual artists in the world as close personal friends doesn't help. However, there is something special about her work. Whenever I see her pieces I almost can automatically feel the innocence, the sincerity, and the emotions that made the piece to begin with. After seeing her work online I asked her if it would be possible to provide me some cover art for the acoustic guitar series on Wardolphin.com for the month of June. Without any hesitation, they arrived in the mail. Her work is beautiful, charming, well thought out, and engaging. For the two covers she provided for me (Starry Eyes & Swing, Set, Smile), I felt exactly what the characters were doing and it made me feel as if I were actually in the piece itself. I encourage all the Wardolphin followers/friends to visit her website and her Myspace page. Take a look at what I'm certain will be a massive career from one of the most humble, grounded, and sincere people I have met in a long time. It's my honor to having had the pleasure to work with her and know her and her artwork (something she only recently exposed to me) and now I would like for you to do the same. Wardolphin.com proudly presents the wonderful art world of Eline Charles!
First, when and how did you start creating art?
I started when I was about 14 years old. Before that I was drawing already but more in learning way, trying to draw the things I saw around me. Around the age of 19 I started to draw the things I dreamed about, I started to put my thoughts into pictures and found it very releasing. I’ve always been very introvert and it was a way for me to express myself without having to be in any spotlight.
Knowing your brother personally, you seem to come from a very creative family, can you explain how that was nurtured and give us an idea of art in your household?
It was mostly my mother who was the creative one in the family. It was more craftwork that she liked, but it did influence me a lot. I think she got it from here father who was a painter.
Who are some of your favorite artists? (musicians, painters, illustrators etc)?
There are actually quit a lot of artists that have touch me.
Just to name a few:
Leo Lionni: he makes illustrations that I just love because of there simplicity.
Craig Frazier: I like him mostly for what he paints, its all very unreal
Amy sol: Her work is very dreamy I’m an absolute fan.
Banksy and Dran: because of the way they make a very strong statement with there work.
And last but not least: Jeroen Bosch, I can stare at his work for hours and still be amazed by what I see.
What type of music inspires you the most?
Music that comes from the heart really. I find music made with love and passion the most inspiring because it was made by people with real things to say and it’s full with honest emotions. I’m inspired mostly by emotions.
How much have your learned about yourself through your own work?
My work has made me see that I can’t seem to let go of things that have happened in the past. I want to hold on to everything, the good and the bad. But by putting it into an image it will always be there so I can move on. It has also shown me that I care to much about what other people think, so it’s a good way for some self reflection.
Give me a typical run through of your work habits from start to finish if possible.
Well most of the time it starts with me dreaming away on train, bus, work, anywhere and then I just get the idea for the picture. Then it stays in my mind for a few days until I find the time to go and work on my computer and make the drawing. I have a pen that allows me to draw on the computer like I would on a piece of paper and that gives me lots of freedom. Mostly late at night because that’s the time when I seem to be the most creative.
Do you have any formal training? If so, explain, if not, how did you realize your talent?
I was in Art school from age 15 to 18. I also studied art at College but in my experience that was the worst choice I ever made, so I left school last year.
Your art is some of the most human work I have ever seen, it almost instantly makes me feel great inside. I went to your website and went through your pieces and I think the best way for me to explain it is that "I understand completely". Each piece reminds me of a piece of my life at some point and it's very inspirational. Tell us what inspired these pieces?
Real day life inspires them really, everyday emotions that everybody experiences at one stage or another. Dreams are also a very good source to tap in to. When I was young I always wanted to make the swing go as high as the clouds so I could climb on them and see the city below, memory is like that work very inspiring.
Your brother and I have worked together (Isla/Lead MC from the band KOALA) and I'm very honored to have worked with you as well, are there any future plans for you two to work together?
I do think we will work together when the time is right, I would love to work with my brother, he has been the person I look up to the most. He learned me about music, different cultures, …
Does your immediate environment play a part on your work or do you grab your images from your past?
It’s when something happens to me during the day, that reminds me of something in the past, that’s when I see the picture in my head. Like when you smell something that you smelled when you where a child. Or when your on the train and the sun is just low enough to shine right in to you eyes and it reminds you of that day in the park when the same thing happened, that’s how I get my images.
So most of them come from my past, a sort of attempt to forget as well as trying to capture it forever.
If you had to chose one artist (painter), who and why?
Jean - Micheal Basquiat
He was living on the street and was just using everything as paper for his paintings, I find him (and off course his work) very inspirational.
What are your plans for the future?
I would love to make a sort of book with all my pictures, or maybe write a story for children and then illustrate it. And then hope that somebody someday will publish it.
Any final parting words for the Wardolphin audience?
Take your talent and share it with me! And others
Thank you for the interest in my work, it really means a lot.
